Open Source

SPARK Programming Language Goes GPL

, October 06, 2009

Developed by Praxis and AdaCore, SPARK is used where correctness is vital for safety or security

Praxis and AdaCore have teamed up to launch a General Public License (GPL) version of SPARK, a programming language developed by the two companies that supports the development of software used in applications where correct operation is vital either for reasons of safety or security. The SPARK toolset offers static verification and generates evidence for correctness that can be used to build an assurance case in line with the requirements of industry regulators and certification schemes. There are versions of SPARK based on Ada 83, Ada 95, and Ada 2005, so all leading Ada compilers and tools work out-of-the-box with SPARK.

The release combines the SPARK language and verification tools from Praxis with the GNAT Programming Studio (GPS) and GNATbench development environments from AdaCore. SPARK has a track-record in the development of high-assurance systems. These include the SPARK Pro -- is available from AdaCore. Launched in March 2009, SPARK Pro includes full support and is aimed at professional developers of high assurance systems.

"SPARK has a long and distinguished industrial pedigree being used for large-scale critical development systems all over the world. This pedigree, and the research that has enabled it, is now freely available, and I look forward to seeing the research advances and innovations that will result," said Keith Williams, Praxis Managing Director. "It is also very important that the academic community now has access to such industrial-strength material to support the teaching of high-integrity software engineering."

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